Japanese Gulch photo by singletracks member chris_donovan.
Last week we talked about the idea that hikers and other outdoor groups should work with mountain bikers to preserve public lands since united we stand… (you know the rest). Anyway, it seems the hiking and equestrian community still aren’t really on board with the concept and one hiker even chose to voice his opposition right here on the blog.
That’s why this next story is so refreshing: A developer is planning to build a huge warehouse next to Japanese Gulch in Everett, WA and residents aren’t too stoked on the idea so they’re asking mountain bikers to help them save the open space and trails. The residents have organized a group to preserve the gulch:
Members of the gulch group plan to reach out to the mountain biking community that rides through the gulch.
Mukilteo resident Dave Culler said he attended because he mountain bikes through the gulch. Culler said mountain biking Web sites refer to the gulch as one of the best places for biking in the area.
“The mountain biking community has tried to keep Japanese Gulch quiet so theres no (bike) traffic,” he said. “But if they were concerned it would go away, they would help.”
Mountain bikers helping save an area from development would have been unheard of just a few years back. Today we have a voice and it’s our turn to help save the trails for everyone – hikers and bikers alike!
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May 12, 2009